harvard "evening with champions" this weekend

[what?meworry?]

a while back on another thread, dancefan posted:

"...anyone who travels to Harvard University this weekend will be able to see B/A, Gre/Pet and GR/M back to back! (M/K won't be there, but the others will!) I'm really looking forward to seeing this 'mish-mash' WSS freedance that everyone is talking not-so-favorably about, and how it compares to the others!"

http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~ewc/skaters.htm

icedancesk8er planned to attend and promised to post an opinion. maybe others are attending, too, and we can get a "snapshot" of senior dance for this year.

[Smiley0084]

Oh yeah, Belbin and Agosto pulled out :( I really wanted to see them, but I missed the show anyway because of :evil: strep throat.

[IceDanceSk8er]

After seeing the Harvard Show I must say that the absolute star was not on the bill. (B/A did scratch, btw. It was said that Tanith has a kidney infection and could not fly in. Considering that their images graced all the posters and souvenier paraphnalia, it was interesting to say the least) After Scott Smith skated a wonderful program to "Black Balloon" someone threw a small stuffed duck with "Boston" on it's little duck tummy, on to the ice. With the typically dark show lighting, it went unnoticed toward a corner of the ice. Despite calls from the audience of "DUCK DUCK DUCK" it was not removed when G/P took the ice. THey skated their exhibition program to "God Bless America" with manuevers dangerously close to the fuzzy little fellow. Another time they actually skated right into it with it bouncing from blade to blade and finally into one of the corner circles. Unfortunatly the audience was more fixated on the status of the duck then in the program. (It was a well performed programwith some interesting lifts showing improvement since their move to the East Coat).In the final lift it was evident that Dennis saw the duck and added some cheap thrills in skating almost on top of it intentionally "Will he hit the duck? Will the Team survive? Film at Eleven!"
Loren and David performed their OD which was a combination of Blues and rock n' roll. They have kept the same fresh, crisp attitude but with added maturity great choreography and some incredible lifts they are really becoming a"complete" team. This is not just a "skate and pose " program that Boston had been accused of in the past. I think maybe David is going for that Russian Look with his long hair... possibly a trim may be in order.Great program, not just tricks with connecting steps. It was a true dance and they look ready for the season.
AS for the rest of the show: there were "stand out " performances by
Don & Hunt ( with their wicked good speed and crazy lifts they could be real contenders for gold this year.)Scott and Duehlebon, Scott Smith,& Novice pairs team Toth and Gleason. The rest of the programs were fairly solid,but maybe my expectations were a bit high.I honestly think because I watch ice dance more than the other disciplines, that I have come to expect more in the way of performance and presentation from single skaters as well and I am left "wanting" even when I see excellent technique but very little audience connection.
But the award for the most audience connection and breath taking performance has to go to the duck. Can't wait to see what he does during the competitive season!:lol:

[Steffi]

Bebe Liang was at this event, right? How did she look?

[IceDanceSk8er]

Originally posted by Steffi
Bebe Liang was at this event, right? How did she look?

I'm not sure about Friday night, but she wasn't on Saturday night's bill.

[DancerFan]

No shows were Silvia Fontana, Bebe, and B/A. Rumors were running rampant about Tanith, but no one knows anything for sure. It wasn't as strong a cast as in recent years, but with the Simsbury show running at the same time, I guess that was inevitable.

The highlights for me were Nick LaRoche, Scott Smith, the three pair teams, and G-R/M. Nick was powerful, has a great commanding presence, and absolutely flies across the ice. Scott skated clean and has developed a nice style to go along with his beautiful jumps. Scott/Dulebohn look strong and in better shape than I've ever seen them - their bodies look lean and powerful. Their unison has improved and they "move as 1" better than all the other US teams. Don/Hunt really soar and are pleasing to look at, but something seems to be missing, I don't know if it's their lack of connection with one another, or if their program is just slightly boring. Rena Inoue has grown her hair to shoulder length and she looks just beautiful. There's something I really love about Inoue/Baldwin... they feel their music, and have sophisticated movements and subtle nuances in their choreography. Rena also looks to be the most balletic and fluid/effortless female pair skater in the US right now. G-R/M looked gorgeous, with an engaging Rock-n-Roll/sultry blues OD. They also really feel their music, and look sophisticated, sexy, and polished. One thing that struck me last night was what an evenly matched couple they are, and what a great connection they have with one another in addition to the audience.

It's too bad B/A seem to be having choreography troubles; and that Parker Pennington & Orscher/Lucash went to Simsbury for the Saturday show. I would have loved to compare Parker with Nick; see where O/L fit in among the other three pairs; and compare B/A to the other two dance teams! Final thought: why can't this show seem to attract the top ladies, and where was Jenny Kirk?

[DancerFan]

Originally posted by what?meworry?
...Maybe others are attending, too...

FYI, there are other reviews here:

http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7392

and here:

http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7386

[Schmeck]

Any comments on the local skaters? Did Kelly O'Grady skate?

[SkateJoy]

I attended both shows. The highlight was, of course, Paul Wylie skating again. The classic moves back again.

Oksana was also very impressive with her comeback.

It was all about pairs this year. Don & Hunt were the most impressive, but are struggling with the throw and side by side spins (Friday night they skated their short, which was good. Saturday they skated their long and it was outstanding). Scott & Duhlebon were very smooth. It was hard to tell how Inoue & Baldwin are doing because their program was so easy. Garrett & Katie were very scratchy compared to the other three.

Nick Laroche was really outstanding. Amazing speed and power. I thought he outskated Parker. I also really enjoyed Matthew Lind's performance on Saturday night. Very lyrical.

Watching the warm up on Saturday it was pretty obvious that Paul had choreographed the opening and closing numbers. An interesting new twist in his career. Does anyone know if he's coaching full time now?

[Zoomana]

Don & Hunt were amazing in the warmup on their throw jumps. I don't know what happened during the actual performance. But from what I saw in warmup. they "have" the throw jumps. The throw triple twist, yes, major collision (but how many teams don't?). I am very impressed with the both of them--stretch, speed, presentation, teamwork, a general feeling of "pairness."

I was also very impressed by Oksana--her groove is surely back, as much as it ever was...great charisma and she never gave up. A bunch of nice triples, a bunch of double axels, and, most importantly, good spins.

Nick Laroche...man, I wish I could have one tenth of his speed and flow. His highlights, spins and jumps are nice, but I am most impressed with the pure speed he gets from one push. Amazing. The back inside shoot the duck hydroblade wasn't shabby either.

I actually liked Scott & Dubelohn. Not just because I am a techno and Madonna fan. I thought they were "voidy," actually. Nice stretch for them, although I frankly hate women in unitards, no matter what....Tiffany is no fatty (au contraire, she's very buffed), but I find the body line of unitards very unflattering for ladies...I guess I am a traditionlist....But I loved the way they pushed themselves and expressed the music...very cool, IMHO....

Scott Smith was great as well, but I am getting used to that...knock on wood (for him). I remember the inconsitent Scott and I am pleased to see the new guy landing things with confidence.

All in all a great show!